22/45 magazines

This is a discussion on 22/45 magazines within the Ruger Rimfires forums, part of the Pistol & Revolver Forum category; I have read a previous post that Mark2 22/45 magazines are interchangable with Mark3 22/45 mags. They have different part #s and most retailers have ...

I have read a previous post that Mark2 22/45 magazines are interchangable with Mark3 22/45 mags. They have different part #s and most retailers have different prices. Is there a difference to look for in comparison? Then, since either of them are on backorder, is any after market product available. (I haven't been able to find any online.)

I've purchased a couple of these on ebay and I received one that was sold as a MK III 22 45 but it won't work in my mkIII. You can't release the bolt with the mag inserted in the gun. To me, it looks like the difference is in the base of the magazine. The one that fits the Mk II has an angled cut out in the mid portion of the base, while the ones that came with my MK III have a straight sided cut out in the base.

I bought a Mk II by mistake before I realized there is a difference, but I bought one advertised as a Mk III and it matches the Mk II base.

After looking them all over, that's the only difference I can see. There seem to be several of each available on ebay, some new some used, but you're going to pay around $50 or so for one.

The Mark III 22/45 trigger has a hump on the backside that fits into a cutout on the front of the Mark III 22/45 magazine. This helps seat the magazine, possibly because the magazine disconnect pushes down on the magazine. The Mark II 22/45 has neither the hump on the backside of the trigger, or the cutout in the magazine. There are reports that if you grind off the hump on the Mark III trigger, the Mark II 22/45 magazine will work in a Mark III 22/45. I dont have any experience here, I bought Mark III 22/45 magazines for my Mark III 22/45s. I suggest you do the same.

There are no aftermarket 22/45 magazines available, that I am aware of.

Appreciate the responses and explanations, the identifying disticntion is indeed the extra bump on the top end of the mag. Lots of anxious and greedy sellers and buyers on internet pages. Best source I have found is simple, RUGER STORE or MIDWAY !!! If you do the math, they have the best prices, but you have to be patient and wait for backorder to fill.

The Mark III 22/45 trigger has a hump on the backside that fits into a cutout on the front of the Mark III 22/45 magazine. This helps seat the magazine, possibly because the magazine disconnect pushes down on the magazine. The Mark II 22/45 has neither the hump on the backside of the trigger, or the cutout in the magazine. There are reports that if you grind off the hump on the Mark III trigger, the Mark II 22/45 magazine will work in a Mark III 22/45. I dont have any experience here, I bought Mark III 22/45 magazines for my Mark III 22/45s. I suggest you do the same.

Exactly correct. On the MKIII 22/45's I have worked on I have either replaced the Factory Trigger with a Clark Custom Guns Steel Trigger or a Volquartsen Trigger, or I have ground off the tab on the back of the Factory Trigger in addition to removing the Magazine Disconnect Safety and then the MKII 22/45 Magazines work in the MKIII 22/45.